The political atmosphere in Bayelsa state is buzzing as the December 5 governorship election continues to gain momentum.
The election will see key political figures in the state slog it out to make a triumphant entry into the state government House, popularly called the Creek Haven.
However, with the heated confrontations, power tussles and cacophony already being experienced in the build-up to the election, the struggle for the existing political space and power in Bayelsa state is quite disturbing.
Many have suggested that the battle will be a two-horse race between a solidly backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor Seriake Dickson, against the self-acclaimed experienced former governor Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, some have tipped the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate, Moses Simon to spring a surprise.
From Left: Moses Siasia, Timipre Sylva and Gov Seriake Dickson
But with the political arena thickening with hate and indifference, the chaotic scenes of the Rivers state governorship election looks almost imminent in Bayelsa, if not properly managed.
It is also believed that the daring infiltration into the political landscape of the state by the main opposition, the APC looks to have created some panic in the state.
However, some others believe that the ruling PDP would always have their way, being the state of former president Goodluck Jonathan (a PDP leader at the state and the national level).
With that being said, it is worth noting that none of the former governors in the state has ever completed their tenure successfully, which is the constitutional two tenures in office. It is yet to be expected if Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s administration will survive this trend.
The ferocity in the camps of leading parties in the state has drawn Naij.com’s attention to quite disturbing developments that has occurred in the build-up to the December 5 showdown.
The Acrimonious APC Primary Election
A spiteful party on September 22 was witnessed when the APC held its governorship primary.
The chairman of the election committee for the APC governorship primary in Bayelsa state, Governor Adams Oshomole of Edo state, had set the stage for the election.
However, the series of meetings he held with his committee members and all the governorship aspirants before the election will yield no positive results as the governorship primary election went ahead.
Chief Timipre Sylva recorded a landslide victory, but his victory was threatened following the submission of a counter report by Governor Adams Oshomole that the election did not follow due procedures.
Oshiomhole had alleged that the primary election held in Yenagoa was marred by violence when thugs disrupted the electoral process by throwing stones at delegates of the party who were already lined up for screening, likewise holding him hostage in an attempt to force him to conduct the primary in the midst of violence.
Timipre Sylva and Gov Adams Oshiomhole
He was, however, said to have been rescued by the combined forces of the military and operatives of the Department of State Security on the orders of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Speaking shortly after his safety was secured, Oshiomhole asked the leadership of the party to reschedule the election, saying he had to leave the state without conducting the exercise because of violence. He described the reported emergence of Sylva as a “huge joke.”
But Sylva on his part alleged that the election was held after Oshiomhole left and he was declared winner. He described Oshiomhole as a “liar.”
Amid the controversy, John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman of the APC, announced the cancellation of the election. He said the exercise would be rescheduled.
Shortly after that disputed election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC replaced Oshiomhole with Brig-Gen Mansur Dan Ali as chairman of the Bayelsa gubernatorial primary election committee for the rescheduled election.
It was gathered that it took over 1,300 security operatives deployed for the exercise to restore peace in the rescheduled election.
Madam Ogere Siasia
In the early hours of Tuesday, November 17, the elderly mother of the Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate for the December 5 Bayelsa state governorship election, Moses Siasia, was kidnapped.
Madam Siasia was kidnapped from her house in Odoni village, Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa state by armed men who stormed the family house.
According to sources, the kidnappers stormed her residence, forced their way through the back door and whisked away the elderly woman on a motorbike, despite efforts by her husband to stop them from taking her away.
What will ensue were reactions from the families of the 72-year-old woman.
First reaction was that of a distressed Samson Siasia who said his mother happened to be the only one at home in his village taking care of his father who is visually impaired.
Samson Siasia
He appealed to the kidnappers who abducted his mother to release her, categorically stating he has no money.
Reacting shortly after, Moses Siasia, the younger brother of Samson and the PDM gubernatorial candidate, said the kidnap of his mother by suspected militants will not distract him from winning the election.
He however added that a line of communication has been opened between the kidnappers and the police.
Moses Siasia
Moses Siasia moved over to the PDM after a failed bid for the APC governorship ticket.
He is admired for his contributions to the presidential aspiration of his kinsman and former president Goodluck Jonathan, as the coordinator of Young Nigerian Professionals.
Coincidentally, Siasia hails from the same local government area with Governor Dickson, Sagbama local government area.
Booby Trap Set Before Sylva/Legal Actions
An on-going plot by the PDP to stop the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva, from contesting the December 5 governorship election was recently uncovered.
It was alleged that Governor Seriake Dickson looked to have instituted moves to stop Sylva from contesting the election on grounds that he had been elected twice and no longer eligible to be governor.
The ruling party in the state had approached the Federal High Court to institute legal actions against Sylva, seeking his disqualification.
In the suit No CV/70/15, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson & ANOR Vs Chief Timipre Sylva & Ors obtained on Friday, November 6, the plaintiffs (PDP) are seeking the court to determine whether Sylva, the candidate is qualified to contest as a candidate in the light of the provisions of Section 182 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Chief Timipre Sylva
The PDP noted that Section 182 (1) (b) states that no person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a state if “he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections.”
This created a panic in the camp of Sylva as it was reported that 1000 youths defected to the PDP in Southern Ijaw local government area.
However, in a swift response, Chief Nathan Egba, the director of media and publicity of the Sylva campaign, said the PDP’s resort to the court to disqualify Sylva is a clear indication that PDP is frightened at the popularity of Sylva and the thought of meeting him at the poll.
Alleged Weapons Buildup
Reports from some quarters have alleged that some governorship candidates whom are going into the December 5 election in Bayelsa, have been storing arms and weapons.
It was alleged that the Sylva and Dickson camps have contracted the services of former militant leaders, despite the signing of a Peace Pact some weeks back aimed at eliminating poll violence.
Statements by the Bayelsa state police also recently confirmed the allegations. The state police spokesman, Asinim Butswat, announced that police recovered arms in the Okutukutu area of Yenagoa.
He said: “At about 0630hrs on Thursday, November 12, based on a tip that arms and ammunition were being kept in a room on Tamic Road in Okutukutu, a team of detectives stormed the residence finding AR automatic riffles, ammunition and other weapons hidden at the location. The occupants of the house, one Sunday Akpan and Emmanuel Monday were arrested.”
According to the force spokesman, the suspects were cooperating with the police and investigation was on-going.
The Death Of Inokoba And Alamieyeseigha
Col. Sam Inokoba, a former chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa state died in Lagos on September 2, aged 68. His death came two weeks after defecting to the APC.
Before his death, Inokoba was an APC governorship aspirant in Bayelsa state and had obtained his nomination form to contest the governorship primaries of the APC.
Sam Inokoba
Some sources had alleged that Inokoba died of heart attack while others attributed his death to food poison.
A month after Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of Bayelsa state, died in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, on October 10.Alamieyeseigha slipped into coma and was placed on a life support.
Esueme Dan-Kikili, the Bayelsa state commissioner for information, confirmed that the former governor had died after a cardiac arrest.
According to family source, Alamieyeseigha suddenly fell ill in his hometown in Ammassoma township of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa and was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he died at age 62.
Late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
It is believed that there is severe apprehension amongst politicians in the state as the agitation against the administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson becomes more tense.
However, what needs to be noted is that Bayelsa state certainly needs some measure of good governance and execution of people-oriented projects that will enable them enjoy the full value of the creation of the state and the dividends of democracy.
Who the right man is, to offer this still remains unknown.
Source: Naij.com
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